The management of the National Youth Service Corps has expressed concern over a recent incident involving the University of Calabar where a bread seller was fraudulently included in the university’s graduation list and mobilized for the one-year mandatory national service.
In response to the allegations, NYSC has demobilized 54 individuals who were illegally mobilized from the university, preventing them from receiving Certificates of National Service.
This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the NYSC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Eddy Megwa.
The statement quoted the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier-General Yusha’u Ahmed, who revealed that the illegally mobilized graduates would face prosecution.
Of the 54 individuals identified, 19 had initially registered online for mobilization but were subsequently barred from participating in the service.
Additionally, four Certificates of National Service were withheld by the NYSC for other involved parties.
Earlier in the week, the NYSC had invalidated the certificates of 101 graduates from UNICAL who were fraudulently mobilized between 2021 and 2023.
This move was praised by the university’s Pro-Chancellor, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (retd.), who commended the NYSC for uncovering the fake graduates and pledged to take action against any staff involved in the fraudulent activities.
The NYSC DG recounted the case of the bread seller who was illegally mobilized, highlighting the seriousness of the issue. He commended the Vice-Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Florence Obi, for bringing the matter to the NYSC’s attention.
“The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar came here to report that she observed some names on the institution’s list that should not have been there. She checked the list the school provided us, and I told her that their certificates would be invalidated. I give kudos to the Vice-Chancellor,” Ahmed said.
“Previously, a bread seller was mobilized on the graduation list from the same institution. There are bad eggs in many places that generate matriculation numbers and courses for their candidates,” he added.
Ahmed further emphasized the need for continued collaboration between the NYSC, Heads of Corps Producing Institutions, and other relevant stakeholders to curb such fraudulent activities.
He stressed that any failures in the mobilization process reflect poorly on the integrity of the management of the institutions involved.
The NYSC DG also called on employers across the country to verify the authenticity of Certificates of National Service presented by job applicants, ensuring they are genuine and issued by the NYSC.
